Display apparatus, television reception apparatus and pointing system

Abstract

A display apparatus is connected to a computer that constitutes an external device. In at least one example embodiment, the external device outputs an image to the display apparatus via a video output port. When a pointing device directs a laser beam towards an image display module of the display apparatus, the display apparatus detects the laser beam using an incorporated photosensor, and identifies the coordinates in the image corresponding to that photosensor. Then, the location information for the identified coordinates is output to the external device via a pointing device input port. The external device recognizes the coordinate location and outputs a cursor indicating the pointer location superimposed on the output image. The display apparatus displays an image containing the cursor on the display screen.

1 . A display apparatus comprising:
 a display module that displays a display image based on a plurality of pixels;   light detectors disposed to correspond to said pixels for detecting a pointer beam directed onto the display image on said display module and outputting a detection signal;   a pixel identifying module that identifies a pixel corresponding to a light detector that detected said pointer beam based on said detection signal; and   a coordinate determining module that determines coordinates of a location in said display image illuminated by said pointer beam based on the pixel identified by said pixel identifying module.   
     
     
         2 . The display apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a coordinate information output module that outputs coordinates determined by said coordinate determining module,   wherein said display module displays a display image superimposed with a pointing cursor in said coordinates.   
     
     
         3 . The display apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a command detection module that detects a predetermined command signal when light of a wavelength different from that of said pointer beam is detected.   
     
     
         4 . The display apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a command detection module that detects a predetermined command signal when a predetermined electromagnetic signal is received.   
     
     
         5 . The display apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said light detectors is a photosensor provided for each of said pixels for detecting light from outside.   
     
     
         6 . The display apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said light detectors is a photosensor provided for each of picture elements forming a pixel, for detecting light from outside.   
     
     
         7 . The display apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said light detectors includes a photodiode.   
     
     
         8 . The display apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said display module is a liquid crystal panel and said light detectors are integrated into an active matrix substrate of said liquid crystal panel.   
     
     
         9 . A television reception apparatus using the display apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A pointing system comprising a display apparatus and a pointing device emitting a pointer beam, wherein:
 said display apparatus is the display apparatus according to  claim 1